Chapter 12: Ghosts of the Garden

Morning sunlight filtered through the bamboo screens, casting intricate shadows on the floor. Aurora wandered through the back garden of the Xu estate, drawn by an inexplicable tug in her chest.

This garden was different—older, less manicured. Weeds danced between mossy stones, and the scent of sandalwood lingered in the air.

She knelt by a statue half-buried in the soil.

It was her.

The carving was unmistakable—her face captured in serene expression, hair pinned in a phoenix crown, arms outstretched as though shielding something.

A rustle in the leaves.

"Miss Lin," came a raspy voice.

She turned sharply.

An elderly gardener, eyes milky with age, stood with a rake in hand.

"You came back," he said, voice full of awe.

"Do I… know you?" Aurora asked cautiously.

"I served here long ago. Before the war. Before the world forgot." He approached slowly. "You were her. The Lady in White. You protected the temple when the Red Court fell. The fire couldn't touch you."

Her breath hitched. "What temple?"

He pointed to the hill beyond the estate walls.

"Buried now. But it was yours. The women there whispered your name through the storms. Said your soul would return."

Aurora stared at the statue again.

"I died in fire," she murmured.

The gardener smiled gently. "Yes. But fire cannot claim those born of spirit."

Aurora stood, heart pounding. Each step she took now was no longer just survival.

It was a return.